As if RIDOT didn't have enough troubles, along comes a study showing that our highway infrastructure is just about the worst in the country.

Although Rhode Island is 49th in state-controlled miles of highway, and although we seem to be taking good care of the portions of the Interstate system within RI (we actually ranked up in the top group here, both for urban and rural), we were dead last in bridges (surprise, surprise) and showed very poorly in rural highway. Here's the blurb:

In 2005, Rhode Island reported 1,102 miles of highway under the state-owned highway system. The state ranked 47th in the performance rankings in 2005 as compared to 36th in 2000. The state’s best ratings were for rural interstate condition (1st), urban interstate condition (1st) and fatality rate (7th). The state scored lowest on deficient bridges (50th), rural primary pavement condition (49th), maintenance disbursements per mile of responsibility (48th), total disbursements per mile of responsibility (45th), capital/bridge disbursements per mile of responsibility (45th), receipts per mile of responsibility (44th), administrative disbursements per mile of responsibility (44th) and urban interstate congestion (43rd). Rhode Island has relatively high costs compared to system condition.

If the RISC and their PCC bedfellows want something to get all het up about, why not try tackling an area where I think we can all agree that our tax dollars are clearly not delivering their appropriate impact? (Hey, remember, if you were at the Town Center meeting the other night, don't forget to send your postcards to our congressfolks.)

Resources:
Read more on the Reason Foundation Web site
Check out the interactive map with the rankings
Hat tip to the ProJo 7to7 News Blog

Disclaimer: I have done no research on the Reason Foundation. But if the RISC folks can quote one study on national education as definitive without being concerned about methodology, what the hell. I can do that too.